Apparatus for recovering ore values from a solution



APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING OREVALUES FRM A SOLUTION Filed Oct. 29, 1932'Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 1- ""HIIIHII A TTORNEY Aug. 6, 1935. J. B. MARTIN 2,010,239

APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING ORE `VALUES FROM AA SOLUTION Filed OCt. 29, 1952 4 SheecS-Sheefl 2 2 NVENTOR.

ATTORNEY ug. 6, 1935. J. B. MARTIN 2,010,239 APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING ORE VALUES FROM A SOLUTION I Filed Oct. 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 6, 1935. J. B. MARTIN 4 2,010,239

APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING ORE VALUES FROM SOLUTION Filed oct. 29, 1952 A4 sheets-sheet 4 //v VEA/rol? Patented Aug. 6, 19,35

APPARATUs Fon RECOVERNG ORE VALUES FROM A SOLUTION John B. Martin, Tay'ildong, Korea Application foetber 29, 1932,' serial No. 640,259

3 Claiis.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for recovering suspended values from a solution, and more particularly, but not necessarily, for feeding a precipitant, such as zinc dust, to a solution containing suspended values such as a cyanide solution.

It is one object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for feeding a powdered substance to a solution in such a manner that the powdered substance is brought into intimate molecular contact withsaid solution.

Another object is to provide a novel method and apparatus for feeding a powdered substance to another substance in such a manner that shall distribute the powdered substance intimately and regularly with the other of said substance.A

Another object is to provide a` method and apparatus for feeding a powdered substance to another substance that shall distribute the powdered substance with the other of said substance in such a manner as to bring the powdered substance into intimate molecular Contact with the other of said substance.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for mixing a powdered substance with another substance, wherein the powdered substance is added to the other of said substance in a continuous uniform spray, whereby the powdered substance is brought into intimate molecular contact throughout the body of the other of said substance. l

Another object is to provide a novel method and apparatus for feeding a powdered substance to a liquid in such a manner as to distribute the powdered substance evenly and regularly' throughout the body of said liquid.

Another object is toprovide in a method and apparatus having the above characteristics, novel means for controlling the feedingof the powdered substance.

Another object is to provide ina method and apparatus for feeding a precipitant to a solul tion containing suspended values, novel means for agitating the mixture of the precipitant and solution wherebyto assist the precipitating process.

A further object is to provide a novel method and apparatus having the above characteristics, wherein both the method and apparatus are simple, eflicient' in operation, durable and comparatively cheap'` of manufacture. i

The above and other objects will' be apparent throughout the urther description of the invention, when taken in connection with the accorti-V panying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts. It is to be distinctly understood that the drawings are not a definition of the invention, 'this being defined by the appended claims. 5

In the drawings- Figure ll is a sectional view taken on the line l-I of Fig. 2.

, Figure 2 is a iront elevational view of Fig. l, having certain parts broken away ior the purpose of illustration.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the clutch mechanism embodying the invention.

` Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 15 4 -4' of Fig. 1. i

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Figure 6 is man elevational View, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, showing the manner in which the plunger pump is employed.

' The present invention is designed for use wherever the feeding of a powdered substance to a solution or another substance may be required, and particularly where it is desired the powdered solution be fed `continuously and in exact amount.

' Fr the sake of simplicity, the present method and apparatus will be described in connection with the process of precipitatinggold values from a cyanide solution.

The use of Zinc dust as a precipitant for precipitating suspended values from a cyanide solution is well known in the art. However, because of the tendency of zinc dust to take on or absorb moisture from the air, it has been very diilicult to obtain eiicient feeding of zinc dust to a solution. Many processes and apparatus havebeen heretoforefproposed but due to absorption of moisture` by the Zinc dust, the known methods and apparatus fail to feed the zinc dust in a continuous exact amount, since the zinc dust tends to clog and adhere'to the feeding apparatus.

Since the percentage of precipitate recovered depends on the thoroughness and intimacy in which the precipitant is mixed with the solution, it has' been found necessary to provide a method and apparatus that shall positively feed the Zinc dust to the solution in the exact amount required in order to increase the percent of precipitate obtained from the solution.

A s stated above, in order to disclose the present invention, the apparatus here described is for the purpose of precipitating the suspended values from a cyanide solution to which zinc dust is added.

In the form shown, a supporting frame is provided which may be constructed of suitable angle irons I I disposed in vertical and horizontal positions in such number as may be required to provide a rigid and durable support for the apparatus hereinafter described. The frame work may be welded together or bolted, and provided with suitable brace members I2.

The apparatus will be described in the order that the process is carried out.

The zinc dust is placed in the upper end I3 of a hopper I4. The hopper I4 is provided with a screen or sifter I5 disposed in the upper portion of the hopper I4 through which the zinc dust is sifted for nely dividing it. The hopper I4 gradually decreases in diameter from its uppermost portion to its lowermost portion. The lower end of the hopper is formed to receive the upper end of a second hopper It. Within the hopper i6 and adjacent the upper end thereof is supported a roller I1 by means of a shaft I8, the latter` being mounted in the walls of the hopper IG by suitable bearing surfaces I9. Since the roller is designed to turn in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the inner wall of the hopper i@ is formed to closely conform to the adjacent surface of the roller I1, as shown at 2l, the purpose of this construction being to prevent any zinc dust from passing between the roller and the close adjacent portion of the hopper I6. The hopper I6 is further provided with the reduced portion 22 upwardly from the roller, the latter terminating in the upwardly ared portion 23, the upwardly ared portion 23 being adapted to receive the lower end of the hopper I4, as shown at 24. It can be seen that the zinc dust falling through the sifter I5 will continue downwardly through the reduced portion 22 of the hopper I6 and into contact with the roller I1.

For the purpose of regulating the feeding of the zinc dust, there is provided a novel gate 26, the free end of which is adapted to cooperate with the corresponding surface of the roller I1, the other end of the gate being pivoted on a shaft 21. The shaft 21 may be provided with one or more arms 28, the latter being provided with a threaded means 29 for regulating the space or distance between the free end of the gate 26 and the corresponding surface of the roller I1. The threaded means 29 may be graduated for determining the spacing of the gate 26 from the roller I1, as required. The roller I1 is adapted to rotate clockwise, (as viewed in Fig. l), on the shaft I8 'f towards the gate 2G and thereby deliver through the gate the required amount of zinc dust.

Means is provided for rotating the roller I1 at predetermined speeds. In the form shown, power is delivered from a suitable source to a pulley 3 I, the latter being mounted on a drive shaft 32 which is carried by the frame work and o-perably supported thereon by any suitable means, such as brackets 33. The drive shaft 32 is operably connected to a clutch member 34 by any suitable means, such as a pin 35. The clutch member 34 is provided with separate clutch faces 36 and 31 respectively; the clutch faces 38 and 31 being adapted for selective connection with clutch faces 38 and 39 respectively; the clutch faces 38 and 39 being carried by sprocket wheels 4I and 42 respectively.

Means is provided for selectively connecting the cooperating clutch faces, such as the actuating wheel 43. The sprocket wheel 4I is connected to another sprocket wheel 44 carried by a second shaft 45 mounted on the supporting frame below the shaft 32, and the sprocket wheel 42 is connected to another sprocket wheel 46 which is also mounted on the shaft 45.

It can be seen therefore that the shaft 45 may be selectively driven through the medium of either the sprocket 4I or sprocket 42 as required by actuating the wheel 43. The inner end of the shaft 45 is provided with a sprocket wheel 41, the latter being connected with a sprocket wheel 48 carried by shaft 49, by means of a sprocket chain 5i). The shaft 49 is operably mounted on the supporting frame, as shown at 5I and 52.

Mounted on the shaft 49 is a bevelled gear 54, the latter meshing with a similar gear` 55 disposed on the upper end of a vertical shaft 53, the latter also being suitably supported by the frame, as shown at 51 and 58. Shaft 56 is provided with a worm Bil, the latter adapted to mesh with a worm gear 6I carried by one end of the shaft I8 on which the roller I1 is mounted. The roller I1 is therefore rotated by way of the shaft i3, worm gear 6I, worm 6I), bevelled gears 55 and 54, shaft 49, sprocket 48, sprocket chain 5d, sprocket 41 and shaft 45, the latter being selectively driven by the sprocket wheels 4I and 44 or 42 and L15, as above described.

Novel means is provided for shifting the axis of the shaft 45 for the purpose of tightening or loosening the sprocket chain associated with the sprocket wheels 44, i6 and 41. Said means consist of mounting the shaft 45 within eccentric bearings and 66, an operating handle 31 having its free ends 68 and 59 connected in fixed relation with the eccentric bearings 55 and 6G respatively, whereby upon moving 'the handle in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, the ofthe shaft 45 is shifted to the desired position.

Means is also provided for locking the actuating handle 61 in any predetermined position, said means comprising a U-shaped member 1t, the latter being rigidly fixed to the supporting frame, as shown at 1I, and provided therein with an arcuate slot 12, the latter adapted to receive a stud or projection 13 carried by the adjacent arm of the actuating handle 61. The end of the stud 13 may be threaded to receive a locking member 14, whereby the handle 61 may be locked into rigid xed relation with the U-shaped member, as shown at 15.

In order to prevent the adherence of the zinc dust to the apparatus there is here provided a novel means for vibrating that portion of the apparatus in which the zinc dust comes into contact While in a powdered state. Said means comprises a vibrator or tapper member 11, the latter being carried by a suitable support 13 rigidly fixed to the frame I I, as shown at 19. The supporting member 18 is provided with spaced guides and 3| through which the tapper rod 11 passes. The tapper rod 11 is tensionally pressed downwardly by means of a spring B2 disposed around the rod "I1 and having one of its ends resting against the inner face of the guide B, and hav'- ing its other end resting against the upper face of the collar 83, the latter being in fixed rigid relation with the tapper rod 11. he lower end of the tapper rod 11 is adapted to contact with an enlarged portion or anvil 94 formed on the upper portion of the hopper I6, so as to strike downwardly so that the vibration from the blow is generally axially and downwardly relative tc the hopper. A cam member is provided for raising the tapper rod 11 against the tension ofthe spring 82,1the1`cam 8,5,being rigidly fixed to a shaft 86, `the shaft 8B being supported bythe frame as shown at'l, and provided at its other end with a gear 88thegear88 meshing with a gear 89 carried on; the end ofthe shaft |8. The ratio between the gears 88 and `3S, may be such as requiredby the local atmospheric conditions.

` The operation ofthe shaft I 8 and roller` I1 having above beendescribed, it can readilybequnderstood that since gear 89 is carried by the shaft I8, that the tapper mechanism is operated by thecam 85, thelatter being driven by way of the shaft gear 88 and gear 89.

Means are further provided for preventing the clogging of the action of the roller by Zinc dust, which comprises side plates 9| and 92positioned within the reduced portio-n 22 of the hopper IS for engaging and cooperating with annular flanges 83 and 94 respectiveh7 provided on the ends of the roller I1, (see Fig. 2). These side plates 9| and 92 direct the Zinc dust directly onto the surface of the roller and prevent any portion of. the dust from coming in contact with the adjacent sides of the reduced portion 22. Also `since the anvil 84 is formed onY the hopper I6,

which carries the shaft I8, on which the roller f1 is mounted, and since the lower end of the hopper |4 is in direct contact with the flanged portion 23 of the'hopper I5, it follows that the tapper or vibrator mechanism operates to simultaneously vibrate the hoppers i4, I6 and roller I1, thereby positively causing the smallest particles of the zinc dust to continue on its downward course in accordance with the exact amount predetermined ;by the gate 25.

very important feature in the invention, since it is necessary that the zinc dust come in contact with the greatest possible surface of the solution to be treated.

Novel means is provided for delivering the solution to be treated, which is here being described as a cyanide solution containing suspended values. This solution is delivered from a suitable source, by way of a conduit |0| and is provided with a nozzle |02 the latter adapted to spread the solution over the entire bottom surface of a receiving trough |03. The trough I 03, which is slightly inclined, reduces in depth from its open end |04 to the point of contact with the mixing chamber |00, as shown at |05. The width of the trough |03 is of substantially the same width as the width of the mixing chamber |00, the latter being the s-ame width as the lower end of the hopper I6,

It has been found by feeding the solution into the mixing chamber at a predetermined rate by volume, and spraying into the mixing chamber a predetermined amount of zinc dust by weight, that a more intimate thorough emulsication of the zinc dust and solution is obtained. The emulsion is then transferred by way' of the opening |06 in the bottom of the mixing chamber |00 to the emulsifying cone |01.

A novel float valve |08 is provided within the cone for intermittently permitting the emulsion in the cone to pass by way of the valve |08 kor pressure processes).

through the opening |09 to a ptunp represented in its entirety by |20a, (preferably a triplex plunger pump) where the emulsion flowing from the cone |01 as indicated by the arrow I2 Io comes into contact with the full idow, indicated by the arrows |22a, of the solution to be treated at the pump I20a and then delivered into a suitable set of bags or filters (not shown) where the values are recovered by well-known processes (vacuum The valve |08 is provided with a valve stem |50 which extends vertically up through the cone and through an opening ||I provided in a guide member ||2. The guide member H2 extends above and across the top of the cone having downwardly turned portions H3, the free ends of which are rigidly fixed to the cooperating edges of the cone. Intermediate the length of the valve stein is provided a oat H4, which is adapted to raise the valve |08 when the emulsion in the cone rises to a predeterminedheight. The valve stem |I0 is provided with a stop or collar I I5, which is adapted to limit the upward movement of the float H4. The stop member IE engages the bottom surface of the guide member l2, as shown in dotted lines at- IIS.

It therefore follows that the upward and downward movement of the float and valve will be dependent in a major Vdegree upon the rate of emulsion or mixture as fed to the cone, but also in a minor degree by the upward and downward movement ofthe valve and float which is also caused by the loss of motion due to loose bearings and the dead points at the ends of the movement of the plunger of pump |a, thereby causing a thrust on the solution, as does the thrust on the crank of a steam engine on the shaft when on dead center. This almost instantaneous interval of interruption at the dead points of the plunger, causes the suction so to speak, to act hesitatingly, and this is reflected in turn upon the floating mechanism, thereby causing intermittent responsive movement of the float upwards and downwards, creating the agitation necessary to keep the emulsion well mixed and n constant suspension. Particular emphasis is directed t0- wards the importance of the office held by the plunger pump. As above stated, the upward and downward movement of the valve and float is also caused by the lost motion due to loose bearings and the dead points or dead centers inherent in a plunger pump. This interruption or pulsation set up in the flow of the emulsion from the cone to the pump by the inherent pulsations of a plunger pump registers against the valve |08 and assists it materially to open readily. This feature may be more clearly understood by pointing out that if the plunger pump, here illustrated, was removed from the system and a centrifugal pump substituted therefor, that the present apparatus would be less efficient, as the agitation within the cone, due to the upward and downward movement of the valve |03 and oat ||4, would be so sluggish and infrequent that the agitation produced thereby would be insufficient to properly mix the emulsion. In other words, in case of the centrifugal pump, the opening of the valve would be dependent solely upon the float I4 to raise the valve |08. Also this would be retarded by the slight vacuum effect produced or existing below the valve |08, while in the case where the plunger pump is employed, the pulsation set up by the plunger pump operates to destroy the vacuum effect below the valve |08 and tends to unseat the valve IIIB. The valve seat H8, which is preferably made of wood, also assists in the prevention of the sticking of the valve, due to the vacuum effect below the valve. This is thought to be due to the fact that the wooden seat is somewhat porous and that the contact between the valve |08 and seat l i8, when the valve is in its closed position, does not form entirely a leak-proof Contact. In the present device, the plunger pump IZEla, valve |68 and wooden valve seat H3 are of importance and desirable to render the device most efficiently operable. Further, it may be well to state here that the pulsations of the pump I2a control the opening of the valve w8 to the extent that the valve opens instantly upon each of the plungers reaching their top dead center. In other words, in the present illustration, where a triplex pump is employed, the valve l U8 opens three times during every revolution of the pump. The floating mechanism also acts as a check against the inclusion of air, which is a very important feature in the process. The valve l 68 is further provid-ed with a stem l Il extending downwardly from the face of the valve through the opening H39. This stem lll cooperating with the opening ill@ serves to position the valve on its seat. The valve seat H8 is preferably made of wood, and is particularly adapted to prevent any sticking of the valve as well as to eliminate any vacuum forming in the opening |09 during the operation of the valve.

The trough |03 and mixing chamber Iil is mounted in swinging relation to the hopper I6, which mounting consists of a support l2@ fixed to the trough HB3 and extending upwardly'and turnably engaging an enlarged portion l2! of the hopper I6. This construction is advisable, since it vibrates trough its with the hopper and evenly spreads the fluid feed from the outlet E; and as it is often necessary to determine the amount of precipitant passing by the gate 26, it permits swinging the mixing chamber I [lil by means of the swinging support IZB free of the opening in the bottom of the hopper i6 where the precipitant may be caught in another container, and the exact amount by weight may be measured and the gate 26 set to permit the desired amount to pass therethrough.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of the invention, it will be'understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes, substitutions, modifications, additions and omissions may be made in the structure herein illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as d-ened by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for feeding a powdered substance comprising a supporting structure, a feed hopper structure carried thereby, sai-d hopper having an upper and a lower opening and a screen intermediate said openings, a smooth faced roller adapted for rotation within said hopper intermediate said openings, an adjustable gate adapted for regulating the feed of powdered substance past the roll-er iace,lmeans for positioning said gate in predetermined positions with respect to said rotating surface, and means for vibrating the hopper and roller in a direction generally axially of the hopper.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a hopper structure having an upper feed opening and a lower discharge outlet, said hopper structure having a portion adapted for being vibrated by a tapper, a roll-er within said hopper and mounted so as to be vibrated with the hopper, means for rotating said roller, an adjustable gate operatively associated with the face of said roller for regulating the feed of a powdered substance past said roller, and a tapper means operable for vibrating said hopper and said roller in unison.

3. A claim in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lower opening of said hopper communicates with means to feed a liquid below the lower hopper opening and said liquid feed means is adapted for feeding liquid in a now substantially as wide as the length of the adjustable gate and in a stream the depth of which is shallow compared with the width thereof.

JOHN B. MARTIN. 

